The president is facing the toughest scandal of his career. He has admitted a sexual relationship with Lewinsky, but continues to deny asking anyone to lie about it. Clinton's Aug. 17 televised confession to the nation did nothing to put the matter to rest, only inflaming his critics further. But several subsequent apologies and the public broadcast of his grand jury testimony seems to have placated many Americans , sa Clinton still enjoys high favorability ratings. And Democratic gains in the midterm elections buoyed the president's claim that the American people did not approve of the Republicans' handling of the investigation and impeachment inquiry.